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Sema - Whirling Dervish Meditation - DENMARK 9TH FEB

Name: Sema - Whirling Dervish Meditation - DENMARK 9TH FEB
Start: 2024-02-09T19:00:00+08:00
End: 2024-02-09T19:00:00+08:00
Location: Lyra House

About

This is a donation run event. You have the option to pay a ticket (suggested 25$) or to make a reservation and provide a donation on the day - this helps us gauge numbers and pay for amenities. You can also make a reservation by messaging Monty: 0422563234

Sufi Dervish Whirling Dance Meditation with Live Music - 9th of Feb, 2024 - Lyra House, Denmark

Sema is a very old word which means 'sky' or 'to listen' and is symbolic of a dancing prayer which mimics the motion of the earth - a continuous flowing sine wave in endless revelation and realisation of the universe. A relevant core tenet in all Sufi orders whether they be from Turkey or India is the belief in using various artforms whether they be poetry, dance, art or music as pathways for direct union and communion with the divine.

Join us for a traditional Zikr chant and an introduction to the sacred practice at 7pm with Sufi Guide Nirtana to then go on to 'turn' for a little over an hour to live music by North Indian Sufi Musican Ram and multi-instrumentalist Monty Cash. We will then finish with a nice warm cup of chai.

Nirtana brings with her experience of the sacred practice from extended time spent in Turkiye and has been authorised to represent the practice as endorsed by the order of Hazrat Inayat Khan . She will lead us in the Zikr, the dance and the ritual to provide deep sincerity to the practice.

Whirling is not an athletic activity and people from all walks of life are welcome and are able. In Monty's attendance of the 114 day Sema in Turkey in 2017 there were individuals that spun at a very slow pace but were consistent. This pace in practice with others was enough for them to enter and maintain trance. The vertigo from dizziness which is what many fear - can be allayed by watching something close like a thumb held up as a guide and maintaining a level head while spinning. Instruction and ceremonial ritual practices will be shared by Veetrag at the beginning of the session before the main portion of the whirling commences. This is not an expressive dance - although the form of whirling can be expressed in many ways. We mimic the motion of the earth and this is a smooth running motion.

Please be aware this is a participatory meditation and not a performance. This is often a question so it is addressed it here. You are welcome to come and sit just for the music as well - understanding that in observation of the practice you are also 'whirling'. It is then a sacred celebration expressed as a presence.

Please in respect of the focus required for smooth practice make sure to bring only little ones that can maintain focus and are able to remain silent for the duration of the Sema.

A simple pair of wooly socks to slide easily on the polished wooden floor is the only requirement. Some yoga mats will be laid out if you require to lay down for a short time between whirling.

There are limited spaces as the venue can only accomodate so many people whirling comfortably so please let us know if you intend to come.

SMS to Monty: 0422563234 or message on the @indanceindance facebook/Insta. Please also don't be afraid to ask any questions you might have regarding the event or the practice

Entry is by Donation - Suggested Donation 25$

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More about the musicians:

Ram is an Indian Sufi and classical musician hailing from Karnal in North India near New Delhi. Having taught and played music for over 20 years his love for music as a pathway to unity with God is evident in his practice. Ram has had many teachers over the years - one notable of which was the late Ustad Sabri Khan who took Ram under his wing for over a decade. Ram has performed all over India and taught vocal workshops internationally including in Moscow and regional Russia. Major influences include devotional poetry of enlightened mystics such as Saint Kabir Das and Saint Raidas. He has a deep passion in singing a range of transcendental poetry, Sufi songs, mantras and devotional songs. It is Ram's strong belief that music can be one of the many paths to the ultimate spiritual goal - transcendence

Ram is visiting us from India to provide his music and talents for this and other exciting events run in Perth and the south-west between Jan-Mar 2024 (see more: linktr.ee/indanceindance)

Monty Cash creates music for the purpose of spiritual development using a range of styles influenced from over 7 years travel as a street musician in the span from Turkey to Ireland. It is his philosophy that by returning to the fundamental building blocks of rhythm and tone we can find our way back to the foundation of source, creating new pathways for the mind to navigate trauma and repressed emotion to move onwards to potentials yet unknown. Monty plays a range of Balkan and Indian inspired musics with Balkan, Indian and western instruments as well as jazzy/blues/rock as a singer/songwriter act which was his bread and butter while traveling the streets of the world. In an intuitive search for a music oriented spirituality Monty found Sufism.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!